Drive Time
4h 40m
Distance
236.1 mi
380 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
The drive from Pasco, WA to Centralia, WA covers 236.1 miles and takes about 4h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 12, I 182, Lewis and Clark Trail for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 219.8 miles on US 12. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.55 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
118.1 miles from Pasco, WA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
This is a 4h 40m highway drive covering 236.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 12 and I 182. The longest continuous stretch is about 219.8 miles on US 12.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 12 and I 182. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near West Court Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 236.1 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (West Court Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 2.7 miles (I 182; US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.5 miles (US 12): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto West Court Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Keep slight left at fork onto I 182; US 12 toward I 182, US 12
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12 toward I 82 West, US 12 West: Prosser, Yakima
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 12 toward US 12 west, North 1st Street: White Pass, Chinook Pass, Naches
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12 toward US 12 West: Naches, White Pass
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Between Pasco, WA and Centralia, WA, road signs point toward Yakima, 1St Street: White Pass, Chinook Pass, Naches and White Pass.
Yakima
1St Street: White Pass
Chinook Pass
Naches
White Pass
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 219.8 mi | 4h 17m |
| I 182 | 11.8 mi | 12m |
| Lewis and Clark Trail | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| North 4th Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Alder Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South Tower Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Cherry Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Court Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Pasco, WA and Centralia, WA.
Start on North 8th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto West Court Street
Turn left onto North 4th Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 182; US 12; US 395
Keep slight left at fork onto I 182; US 12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
Take the exit onto US 12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
Turn left onto US 12
Take the exit onto US 12
Take the exit
Turn right
At end of road, turn left onto Yew Street
Turn right onto Alder Street
Continue on WA 507
Turn left onto WA 507
Turn right onto East Main Street
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.1 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Centralia, WA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Pasco, WA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pasco, WA
This is one driving day of about 236.1 miles and 4h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 118.1 mi from Pasco, WA · 2h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 118.1 miles from Pasco, WA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 12 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 219.8 miles.
The final approach into Centralia, WA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Centralia, WA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$49.55 one way
$99.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $5.57 | $51.75 | $103.49 |
| premium | $5.77 | $53.64 | $107.29 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $52.45 | $104.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.8 | 0 | $24.79 | $11.33 |
| Efficient EV | 59 | 0 | $20.66 | $9.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.4 | 1 | $33.05 | $15.11 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Pasco on Saturday
Local time
1:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
39°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Centralia on Saturday
Local time
1:51 PM
PDT
Current temp
35°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
37°F
Bonney Lake, WA
118 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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